Monday, April 23, 2012

The Baltimore Orioles finished up their long ten-game road trip as
they defeated the Los Angeles Angels, 3-2, in ten innings on Sunday
afternoon.

They finished up their road trip with a 6-4 record – a good thing –
considering how recent history has gone. Right now, the Orioles have a
9-7 record, and we all should enjoy it. The young players – especially
Adam Jones and Matt Wieters have developed into possibly All-Stars and
definite pillars this early season.
I’ve seen Jones play with a greater focus than ever, and also like
the fact he is using his athleticism to be more aggressive on the
basepaths.

Nick Markakis – who had been struggling as of late – came through
with two clutch hits, one in the eighth inning to tie the game at two,
and the other to decide the game in tenth. Of course, he could have been
ejected – if not for Buck Showalter stepping in to protect him with
grievances over ball/strike calls. The calls have been terrible this
series, and I’m surprised the issue had not been brought up sooner.

Pedro Strop, despite giving up a game-tying homer to Howie Kendrick
in the eighth inning earned the win, his second of the year; meanwhile,
Jim Johnson got the save, his seventh of the season.

Wei-Yin Chen looked exceptionally strong on the afternoon as he went 6
1/3 innings and gave up a run on five hits. It will be intriguing to
see how he acclimates to four days of rest, in comparison to five or six
days rest – customary in Asia.

As well, as the weather gets warmer in the mid-Atlantic, I’d like to
see how his body holds up. Koji Uehara seemed to not do well in the heat
and seemed to need his rest, so I wonder if Chen will go through the
same issue – or not.